Merchtem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – After 47 years, vendors Danny Van Vreckem and Micheline Kesteront say goodbye to the Merchtem market, known for artificial flowers and household items, as emotional customers bid farewell on their final day.
As VRT News reported, after 47 years at the Merchtem market, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, vendors Danny Van Vreckem and Micheline Kesteront have decided to stop trading. Danny started his market career at the age of 20.
“I have been at the Merchtem market from the very beginning,”
he said.
“There was another market only 15 kilometres away in Enghien, but we chose Merchtem and stayed here until the last day.”
What happens as Danny Van Vreckem and Micheline Kesteront leave Merchtem market after 47 years?
In the early years, business was busy and travel was constant.
“We used to do 16 markets a week with two trucks,”
Danny said. As time passed, they reduced their schedule to 4 markets — 2 in Halle, 1 in Ninove, and 1 in Merchtem. Their products also changed over the years. They once sold toys and garden tools, but later turned to household items and artificial flower arrangements that they created themselves.
“We will miss it a lot, especially the social contact,”
said Danny Van Vreckem. After 47 years, the couple packed up their stall for the last time.
“Some people come here just for a chat, even if they don’t buy anything,”
Danny said. Many customers showed emotion on their final day, with some leaving in tears.
The couple’s 24-meter-long stall stood at the market for the final time, as there is no successor to take over their business. They will continue to trade in Halle and Ninove until the end of November 2025.
“Then it’s time to enjoy our retirement,”
Danny said.
Several Belgian markets have recently said goodbye to vendors who worked for decades. In Ghent, a family ran a book stall for more than 40 years before retiring. In Leuven, a florist couple closed their stall after 45 years, with many visitors coming to say farewell. Even at Antwerp weekend markets, vendors selling household items and antiques have retired.
